Be it after an accident or during a routine service appointment, many Motorplex and Pro-Tow clients ask us, “What make or model of vehicle should I buy?” It is common practice to look for an upgrade once your car has passed its 10-year mark, if it is deemed irreparable, or if you find that your needs are changing. However, it is a decision that should not be approached lightly.
How To Decide What Car is Best For You
Finding the vehicle that you should buy takes substantial planning, and a typical purchase decision proceeds as follows:
- Your Needs – Ask yourself what you really need in the new car. Key considerations include the number of passengers, type of driving (street, highway, etc.), driving conditions, fuel economy, safety features, cargo capacity, available parking space – to name a few.
- Budget – A car is not a one-time price tag but a monthly investment (not to mention maintenance, etc.) that you may or may not be able to handle. A rule of thumb is that no more than 20% of your monthly salary should go towards a car payment.
- Lease vs. Buy – A lease has a lower initial payment but it has an expiration date, bringing you back to square one. A purchase is more expensive initially, but the car is yours until the end of its useful life.
- Evaluation – In this day and age, you can easily evaluate your choices online rather than visit dealerships. Remember to consider the above 3 elements at this stage of the selection process.
- Test Drive – Schedule a test drive at your local dealership to see whether your prospective choice is indeed right for you.
Note: Manufacturers seem to have the most challenges when introducing new models or new engine/transmission combinations not previously in production. Aside from this, you can’t go wrong by following this general process when looking for your next vehicle.
Finding The Right Vehicle
Finding the right car for you or your family is mainly a personal decision that I can better assist you with once you have narrowed down the choices to a few similar competitive models. Then, I can provide my opinion based on the technical data available and my experiences with repair and maintenance in our shop.
Best of luck,
Keith Lewis
